A sudden 10AM Bitcoin price drop erased $40B, fueling Bitcoin liquidation cascade amid potential crypto market manipulation.
Bitcoin experienced a sharp 10am Bitcoin dump, losing $2,000 in just 35 minutes and wiping out $40 billion in market value. This triggered a Bitcoin liquidation cascade, with $132 million in long positions liquidated in under an hour.
Traders noted this recurring Bitcoin trading pattern, which has previously coincided with sudden moves during the US market open crypto window. Analysts suspect that both institutional crypto selling and algorithmic strategies could be amplifying these rapid swings.
U.S. Jobs Data and Bitcoin Price Reaction
The latest U.S. jobs report showed unemployment rising to 4.6% in November, higher than expected and the highest in over four years. Nonfarm payrolls, however, increased by 64,000, surpassing forecasts.
Reporting delays due to the recent government shutdown may have skewed the figures. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that these numbers could be influenced by temporary reporting issues.
Markets had priced in expectations for about two 25 basis points rate cuts in 2026. In response, Bitcoin dropped 1.6%, trading near $86,422 at the time.
Analysts suggest mixed economic signals combined with Bitcoin ETF arbitrage, crypto algorithmic trading, and CME Bitcoin futures activity contributed to the volatility. Traders continue to monitor macroeconomic data and market mechanics to gauge Bitcoin’s next moves.
Liquidations Surge During 10AM Pattern
During the 10am Bitcoin dump, $132M worth of long positions were liquidated rapidly. The pattern has been linked to automated triggers and high frequency crypto trading, creating both risks and opportunities for retail and institutional participants.
Market monitoring platforms flagged heightened activity at this time, with some observers pointing to potential Bitcoin manipulation by large players, including mentions of Jane Street Bitcoin strategies.
BREAKING: The 10am manipulation is back.
Bitcoin dropped $2,000 in 35 minutes and wiped out $40 billion from its market cap.
$132 million worth of longs have been liquidated in the past 60 minutes.
This is getting ridiculous. https://t.co/0DRTFfL08r pic.twitter.com/RByT4CWF65
— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) December 12, 2025
Bitcoin’s trading volume spiked as sell orders surged, amplifying the downward pressure. Historical trends suggest that the 10AM window could continue to influence short-term institutional crypto selling and retail reaction, making this recurring pattern a key focus for traders worldwide.
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Bhutan Uses Bitcoin to Fund Mindfulness City
Separately, Bhutan plans to use 10,000 BTC from its reserves for a new urban development project, Mindfulness City.
Analysts note that large-scale crypto allocations like this may intersect with institutional crypto selling and BTC ETF arbitrage trends, potentially impacting broader markets.
High-volume moves in government holdings could also trigger crypto algorithmic trading responses and CME Bitcoin futures activity, reflecting indirect effects of large BTC deployments on global markets.
BREAKIKG: KING OF BHUTAN JUST ANNOUNCED THE COUNTRY WILL INVEST 10,000 #BITCOIN TO BUILD A BRAND NEW CITY
TRUE LEADERSHIP. LEGEND 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o4Y54jbIHe
— The Bitcoin Historian (@pete_rizzo_) December 17, 2025
Mindfulness City will feature meditation centers, cultural landmarks, and green spaces. The project demonstrates how governments can use Bitcoin for long-term societal benefits rather than immediate trading gains.
Experts say Bhutan’s crypto initiative focuses on public development. High-frequency trading firms may still monitor such moves closely. Some link government crypto use to market strategies like the 10 a.m. Bitcoin dump.
The initiative positions Bhutan as a pioneer in using cryptocurrency for national projects. It also shows how large crypto allocations can influence market behavior. These patterns echo past concerns around BTC trading manipulation.